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July 2013 Newsletter New Govardhana Community Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

Incorporation of ISKCON Anniversary How it all began Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahabhagavata Vaishnava Mercy for All Inside the prison system Lord Jagannatha Ratha-yatra goes west!

Srila Prabhupada Uvaca + Goshala News + Natural Development at New Govardhana Anniversary of the Incorporation of ISKCON

by HH Mukunda ISKCON (the International Society for Krishna Consciousness) was incorporated in New York City, in the State of New York in the US, on 13 July 1966, around 47 years ago. This first incorporation of ISKCON was executed at Srila Prabhupada’s behest – then known to his followers only as ‘Swamiji’ and to others as A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. The lawyer under whose aegis the fledgling movement was officially instituted was Mr Steven Goldsmith, an attendee at Srila Prabhupada’s Second Avenue lectures. I don’t know for sure, but I suspect Mr Goldsmith’s legal fees were low or non-existent. One early (for me) morning in July of 1966, I was awakened and asked to sign papers pertaining to the incorporation of ISKCON. As a US citizen and resident, my signature appeared to be necessary. So I rather perfunctorily signed the http://jagadanandatalcuales.blogspot.com.au ISKCON Founder-acharya His Divine Grace document, thinking at the time it was a sort of ‘flight of fancy’ of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Srila Prabhupada’s. Later I was instrumental in getting ISKCON incorporated in the State of Srila Prabhupada Uvaca California (US), as well as in and India. The constitution of these other “I have already explained what three corporations was based on that of the original New York Corporation. is this Ratha-yatra festival. It is in I’ve drawn the conclusion that Srila Prabhupada’s vision in doing this was for commemoration of a grand visit ISKCON to endure in the face of his own and his followers’ inevitable physical by Lord Krishna, along with His disappearances. elder brother, , and His younger sister, Subhadra, in a ‘Built to last’ was a slogan that wasn’t lost on Srila Prabhupada’s institution. solar eclipse ceremony In pursuance of Srila Prabhupada’s vision, as far as I know the highest at Kuruksetra. administrative levels of ISKCON have been discussing and examining the “This occasion is the subject ‘culture of succession’ principle. matter of this Ratha-yatra festival. Apart from these historical references in the matter of Ratha-yatra festival, Bhaktivinoda Thakura there is another spiritual By Mandakini devi dasi meaning: that the Lord is situated in everyone’s heart Bhaktivinoda Thakura was born in Jagannatha in the temple?” and this body is just like a ratha Bimagar, India, on 2 September 1838. “What?” replied the yogi, “ Go and or car. He had 11 children, including live with some wooden idols?” Bimala Prasad, later known as This blasphemy prompted “He is sitting in everyone’s heart. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, the Bhaktivinoda Thakura to immediately It is stated in the Bhagavad-gita: beloved spiritual master of ISKCON’s imprison him for false teachings. sarvasya caham hrdi sannivistah: Founder-acharya A.C. Bhaktivedanta Soon after, Bhaktivinoda Thakura ‘I am sitting in everyone’s Swami Prabhupada. and his family became ill. The heart’. Mattah smrtir jnanam townspeople speculated that perhaps apohanam ca: [Bg. 15.15] ‘I am Living in the Orissan city of Puri, this was a curse from the fire- giving everyone the intelligence Bhaktivinoda Thakura became a breathing yogi. They even thought as well as I am taking away the much-respected magistrate and perhaps he was God. The Thakura intelligence from everyone’.” caretaker of the Jagannatha temple. remained unflinching, and within a His pen never tired, and it produced Source: Srila Prabhupada’s Ratha- couple of days the illness subsided. yatra address, many Vaishnava philosophical works Indeed, from his prison cell, the yogi , 27 June 1971 as well as many wonderful bhajanas confessed that he was an imposter. in glorification of the Supreme Reference: Personality of Godhead. Bhaktivinoda Thakura never took theharekrishnamovement. formal , but remained in wordpress.com Once, a yogi came to town seclusion as a paramahamsa until he proclaiming that he himself was God. departed on 23 June 1914. Some less intelligent people were Correction accepting him. When Bhaktivinoda Source: In the June issue of The Conch, we heard about this outrage, he Bhaktivedanta Folio wrote that Mathuradisa dasa cares challenged the pretender, “So you Krishna Conscious Handbook (14. 2003) for Nrsinghadeva, the temple cat. It are Lord ?” The man insisted Candravalli (72. 14. 14) is actually Bhaktine Larissa who has he was. “So, if you are Vishnu, why Songs of the Vaishnava Acharyas that task of kindness. We apologise do you not go and live with Lord (Introduction) for the error. 2

Inmates get mercy “ The means which I have adopted is spiritual and it works quicker by Prema Nama dasa and than any material means. If you give me the chance to speak to Radharani dasi all the members in jail, it is quite possible for me to turn them into ideal characters. ‘Every saint has a past; every sinner a – Srila Prabhupada, Letter to Sri Puri, 1962. future’ is the motto of the Australian “ ISKCON Prison Ministry. The Australian ministerial counterpart to the US ISKCON Prison Ministry was established on the Gold Coast in November 2012. In the US, more than 500 devotees have been made from former criminals – many of whom were on death row – through the dedication of the ISKCON Prison Ministry. They are now following the four regulative principles, chanting a minimum of 16 rounds daily and holding regular Bhagavad-gita preaching programs for their fellow inmates. There are more than 90 prisons in Australia, with a prison population exceeding 30,000, and these souls have largely not been exposed to Krishna consciousness – until now. The Three Logs of Wood So far, the Australian ISKCON Prison Ministry has sent Srila Prabhupada’s Condensed by Bhaktine Agata Hearing Vishakha chant ‘Radhe, Radhe’, Krishna opened His eyes. books to more than 40 prisons across One day, Krishna fainted from feeling Through Her eyes, Radharani Australia and is receiving positive deep separation from Radharani. was drinking the sweet honey responses. Narada Rishi, Uddhava, Balarama coming from the lotus-like face of and Subhadra appeared there and The Ministry has a three-phased Krishna. Both of them were sitting decided that if Narada were to play strategic plan: on an effulgent, jewelled throne. on his vina and sing the glories of Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra (1) To send Srila Prabhupada’s books Vrajabhumi, Krishna would resume are like three logs of wood, just to every prison consciousness. floating in the ocean of prema. (2) To begin written correspondence But they knew that as soon as Krishna said, “I will come as Chaitanya and cultivation of interested inmates Krishna woke up, He would run to Mahaprabhu, and I will give everyone (3) To begin prison programs, Vrindavana. Subhadra decided to the opportunity to relish this prema- including discourses, kirtanas go to Vrajabhumi first to inform the rasa through sankirtana, and all these and prasadam. inhabitants that Krishna was coming gopis and gopas will become My from Dvarka, and Balarama decided associates.” This strategy has been hugely to go with Her. Narada began to play Excerpt from successful, producing more than his vina and when Krishna became 1,000 Vaishnavas internationally The Embankment of Separation, Chapter conscious, He immediately became Eight–Krsna’s return to Vrndavana among the prisoners. intoxicated from the sweet mellows by Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja Devotees can assist financially or of Vrajabhumi. operationally in one or more of the Balarama and Subhadra’s chariot had above three phases. reached Vrindavana and moments (For example, to send eight books to later so did Krishna’s. His hands and each prison costs only $25.00.) legs were pushed into the body and He had become like a tortoise. This is If you have any suggestions or the form of Jagannatha! would like to help the Ministry With large, dilated eyes, He was in spreading Srila Prabhupada’s only gazing at Radharani, who was mercy in Australian prisons, lying there in the kunja as if dead. please contact: Seeing Her condition, He again lost The New Govardhana Ratha- Prema Nama dasa: 0430 248 770 consciousness and fell to the ground. yatra will begin at 3.00 pm at or [email protected] When Radha heard that Krishna had the farm’s bridge on Sunday, Radharani dasi: radharani_das@ come, Radharani opened Her eyes, July 7. Don’t be late! msn.com but Krishna was still unconscious. kksongs.org 3 Lord Jagannatha Having Fun with Nitaicanda Goes West! By Damodara Pandita dasa Australasia. By Mandakini devi dasi ‘High energy’, ‘spiel-meister’, He organises special festivals An historic event is set to take place ‘entrepreneur ‘ are just a few words for former in Mount Isa, Queensland, on 9 that describe Nitaicanda dasa (Durr), gurukulis August with the very first Ratha-yatra the enigmatic manager of Govinda’s (ISKCON School festival in Outback Australia. Restaurant in Burleigh Heads. alumni) and Nitaicanda dasa Nitaicanda He is the oldest of the four Durr Krishna’s youth. brothers (, Bhisma Nitaicanda dasa and Rupa), who all now reside in The next Kuli and fiancee Braja Burleigh Heads. With the birth of Katchup is on Ratna devi dasi. the latest in the Durr dynasty, when the Ratha- asked about being a new uncle, he yatra weekend (5–7 July) at New said, “Wow, little Ishaya Namoha is a Govardhana. There will be special cute little guy. Having a baby in our events, such as kirtanas and seminars circle has helped us mature and come for all who attend. The weekend will together as an extended family. He culminate in the grand Ratha-yatra is the third generation of devotees in parade at 3pm on our family, and we hope he will Sunday, 7 July. infinite-beauty.com carry the torch into a new generation For more details on the Kuli Katchup Overview of the Mt Isa complex where of Vaishnavas.” also heads copper mining began in 1953. event, please contact Nitaicanda on up the Kuli Katchup program in 0422 724 920. New Govardhana devotee, Pandu Putra dasa, is busily enlisting the help of his workmates at the mining company where he works. Natural Development at New The main task at hand is the Govardhana transformation of his land cruiser into By Damodara Pandita dasa & • Vegetables are in great supply, with a ratha cart, on which his 45cm tall Maha Mantra dasa ongoing supplies of greens, pumpkin, Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra ginger and many other varieties. Deities will ride. It is stated that Govardhana Hill is the greatest of Krishna’s devotees as • Our farm quarries are providing Pandu has devotedly worshipped He provides everything for the Lord’s road base and fill for all our these Deities since 2004. He is eager pastimes. Govardhana Hill provides construction and road needs. to take Them out, along with his sweet pastures for the cows, trees full • All the rock constructions for the life-sized Srila Prabhupada murti, to of delicious fruits and vegetables in retainer and garden walls are built benedict the masses of people who abundance. The hills of Govardhana from farm rocks. throng to the area every year for the feed fresh creeks and rivers of crystal Mount Isa Rodeo fest. clear waters for drinking and all the • Most of the flowers that are offered Lord’s water pastimes. to Their Lordships every day are Meeting with officials in the grown here on New Govardhana. township, Pandu has secured a Similarly, now we are seeing how the • Delicious mango trees and many place in the inauguration parade of natural resources of New Govardhana other varieties are now bearing plenty the biggest festival of its kind in the are supplying us with so much. Srila of fresh fruits and nuts for the Deities’ Southern Hemisphere. Prabhupada wrote in a letter about offerings. Every detail has been considered and New Govardhana to “build with no effort spared in order to present natural products”, and we are now an authentic Ratha-yatra festival seeing how much is being supplied to experience. He has secured a sound us from the farm’s natural resources. system, a prasadam tent and • Farm trees have been milled for other essentials. building the bridge, brahmachari ashrama, goshala and all the fencing. Pandu will be returning to the farm Some of the houses, including in late July and is keen to share his Nandaraja’s and Gokula’s homes, are plans with devotees before he heads built from farm wood. All the cow back to Mount Isa for the final festival shelters are also mainly built from preparations for Lord Jagannatha. farm timber. • Lovely pastures full of fresh grasses for all Krishna’s cows. • All our water is coming fresh from Lord Jagannatha goes spring fed dams or pumped from Bhakta Bill and some of the recent

wikipedia .org to Mt Isa underground streams. zuccini harvest. 4 Krishna Village is Flourishing By Bhaktine Larissa computer service, promotional work, cow seva and of course the garden. “The garden is becoming increasingly productive. By Krishna’s grace, we’ll harvest twice as many vegetables this year as we did in 2012. Isaac and Narahari were instrumental in taking our garden systems to the next level, Photos: Daniel Beck Photos: and our neighbour Matt Everest has The New Govardhana WWOOFer been giving us valuable support,” The Krishna Village initiative is one of the largest in he says. the world, with an average of 40 are popular – so thank you to participants working on any given day. “Bhanu Maharaja, Bir Krishna the harinama crews for all their Goswami, Janananda Maharaja and wonderful service, and a special Madreya dasa shares an inspirational Shanti Parayana dasa have given thank you to Isvara dasa and update on the burgeoning Krishna the Krishna Village their valuable Chaitanya dasa, who are always Village and WWOOFer program. association over the past two months. so encouraging. “On 5 July, we are Our saint-in-residence, Mukunda “The WWOOFers and volunteers holding a bonfire kirtana night, Goswami, has been hosting a kirtana, from the Krishna Village are involved with an expected 1,000 attendees. japa and lecture program every with sometimes up to 10 different There’ll be a specialised children’s Sunday with the WWOOFers for the projects around New Govardhana,” tent with many fun activities and past year. says Madreya dasa. “These include ISKCON gurukula performances. Also construction and renovation, painting, “We also host six kirtanas a week, appearing is the Kuli Catchup Crew cleaning, helping at the gurukula, and devotees are welcome to join and the Lore of Gravity show band. fixing the roads, office work, artistry, us,” says Madreya. “Harinamas All devotees are welcome!”

Goshala Goss By Urvasi devi dasi On 27 May, Kishori, a young Friesian heifer, delivered a beautiful, healthy calf. The calf’s birth and the subsequent bonding between mother and baby impressed many of the farm’s WWOOFers (Willing Workers on Organic Farms), who said they had never seen anything like it before. ‘Bruce, the Goose’ is feeling left out these days because Bruce and Kishori were best friends before the birth. Kishori doesn’t have much time right now for her feathered friend, as motherhood has taken top priority. I guess he will move on to greener pastures by finding a new ‘bestie’. The new calf was named Gandharvika in honour of our dear friend Gandharvika devi dasi from Melbourne, who spent much of her time during visits to New Govardhana singing bhajanas and reading Bhagavad-gita for the pleasure of the cows. Recently diagnosed with cancer, on 21 June Gandharvika dasi left her body in auspicious circumstances. She will be very sorely missed but is sure to be singing the Holy Name in a higher place. There was also a departure in the herd. On 5 June, the cowherds sadly farewelled Vasu, one of the older bullocks. He left his body in auspicious circumstances; I chanted the maha-mantra in his ear as his soul left his body via the mouth. (Note from The Conch editorial board: Urvasi devi dasi and devi dasi had stood vigil for six days, around the clock, under very austere conditions ensuring that Vasu Baba – as Urvasi affectionately called him – always had Vaishnava association.) Photography: Urvasidasi devi Photography: Gandharvika, one of our newest calves. Bruce looking for new friends. Vasu Baba enjoyed sunny days. 5 Snapshots ... by Urvasi devi dasi

Lord Jagannatha’s Snana-yatra held Cida Dahi Utsova was held on the same recently at New Govardhana. day as Snana-yatra. Dhriti Gopi devi dasi and Alalanatha dasa (above) auction pots decorated by the devotees, which were filled with various chipped rice and yoghurt preparations. The pots were as colourful inside (top right) as they were on the outside (right). Some pots were painted, others were encrusted with maha prasadam jewels of various Deities from around the world. The proceeds from the auction will be going to the Deity Department.

Autumn leaves of New Govardhana.

Dedicated garland maker, Vaishnavi devi dasi also spends many hours in the gardens cultivating roses, marigolds and other varieties of flowers. During winter it can be very difficult to source enough On 17 June, Lila gave birth to a healthy flowers for the Deitie’s garlands, but bull calf who Gita Govinda devi dasi has recent expansion of the garden areas named Gaura Chandra. has increased the pick.

The New Govardhana community was very fortunate recently to have had the association of HG Rupa dasa. Impressed with the natural beauty of our ‘neck o’ the woods’, he felt right The morning session of the recent Nirjala Ekadasi kirtana program (L), with Krishna at home with the cows, and especially Rupa devi dasi leading the devotees in chanting the Holy Names. During the evening bonded with Padma pictured here session (R) more devotees joined Premavati devi dasi, Venu Gopal dasa and other with him. kirtaneers in this inaugural event organised by Vishnujana dasa. 6 To Gandharvika By Krishnarupa devi dasi, 29 May 2013 Gandharvika devi dasi succumbed to oesophageal cancer on 21 June, in her Oh singing angel Melbourne home. The diagnosis was Fearlessly giving the maha-mantra sudden, but she decided it was time To the world to be free of her material body and move on, declining to have medical Standing solitary in a crowded street treatment due to the advanced stage With your kartalas ringing of her condition. Voice cutting through Gandharvika has spent the past six The sounds of city chaos weeks or so preparing herself by constantly hearing Srila Prabhupada On stage and on TV chanting and devotees reading to her By your power you induce from his books. Her long-time friend, All to take up the refrain Gangamayi devi dasi, was indefatigable You love the most in her loving and Krishna conscious care. So that hearts are purified We will remember Gandharvika with warm fondness. Her great love for And souls get delivered singing the Holy Name as loud and Lovingly powerfully as only she could will always Your friend and servant be in the the minds Krishnarupa devi dasi of those who had (ACBSP) the fortune to have heard her. Gandharvika devi dasi (R) chanted for the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha Krishna – Krishnarupa devi www.dandavats.com wherever she may have been. www.flickr.com dasi (ACBSP)

Caring for Cows By Mandakini devi dasi Thirteen years ago, Kurma Rupa dasa made a vow to feed the neighbourhood street cows in Vrindavana for the month of Kartika. After Kartika, however, nine Editorial regulars continued to turn up at his doorstep every day for breakfast. When the Guidelines number of bovine visitors increased to 15, a kindly neighbour offered to loan his vacant plot for their convenience. Articles for The Conch must contain 200 words or less. Submissions should As the herd expanded, Food for Life co-ordinator Rupa Ragannatha dasa be supplied in MS Word format in provided a larger piece of land, as well as donating funds to build a cowshed. an email to newgovconch@gmail. com. Articles and images may also be With the cow population rapidly growing, a gurukula student created a website submitted via memory stick, disk or to inform the world about this important venture. Soon after, Care For Cows, a hard copy. registered trust, was inaugurated. Photos must be in JPG format. Currently, Kurma Rupa dasa and his cowherd men protect and care for 520 Deadline is the 12th of each month for cows. The project attracts many well-wishing visitors, who happily sponsor publication in the following month. a cow for as little as one dollar a day. Others sponsor feeding the herd for Occasionally a submission could be birthdays and other special occasions. held over to a later edition. Articles and photographs must have the names On his recent visit to New Govardhana, Kurma Rupa said, “In my many years of the author and photographer. of caring for cows, never have I seen such patience, dedication and superior Anonymous submissions may not be service as I witnessed at New Govardhana. The loving care and attention given published. Names will generally appear to Vasu on his demise by Urvasi devi dasi and Gita Govinda devi dasi was as submitted. All submissions may be truly inspiring.” edited, proofread or rejected without notice. These guidelines are subject to change. Kurma Rupa dasa feeding EDITORIAL BOARD: Sumukhi and Madhavi during his Krishnarupa devi dasi recent visit to New Govardhana. Damodara Pandit dasa His Srimad Bhagavatam classes Mandakini devi dasi and ‘Sacred Cow’ seminars in the Govardhana Seva dasa evenings truly inspired all those Urvasi devi dasi who attended. The cowherds, (layout and graphic design) especially, gained a lot of practical For enquiries, comments or advice as well as encouragement suggestions, contact from him and look forward to his [email protected]

Urvasi dasi devi next visit. 7 Upcoming Events ... Bonfire Kirtana Saturday 6 July The ‘Bonfire Kirtana’ begins at 4.00 pm and will be held at the Gurukula Hall. Expect a fun night of music, dance, celebration, live bands, face painting and food stalls. For more information, contact Madreya dasa on 0477 920 032

KuliKatchup 5–7 July From Friday 5 July to Sunday 7 July Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s is another fun KuliKatchup weekend. Disappearance Monday 8 July Gurukuli alumni and Krishna Youth Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura was the pioneer of the are invited for a weekend of camping, modern Krishna consciousness movement. He was kirtanas, seminars and much more. also the father of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Special features include a ‘Moods of Goswami Prabhupada, who was the guru of Srila Kirtana’ workshop, Saturday A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. 11.30 am. Saturday 3–9 pm Maha A program will be held in the Temple beginning Kuli Kirtana. at 10 am. For more information, contact Nitai on 0422 724 920

Harinama Ratha-yatra Sunday 7 July The New Govardhana annual Ratha- Sankirtana ki jaya yatra is on Sunday, 7 July. The parade begins near the bridge at 3.00 pm. After the parade, there will be cultural events on the Temple grounds including bhajana, dance and live theatre.

July Calendar (from Vaisnava calendar www.vaisnavacalendar.com) 2 Tue Sri Srivasa Pandita – Disappearance 3 Wed Ekadasi (not suitable for fasting) 4 Thu Ekadasi (suitable for fasting) Fasting for Yogini Ekadasi 5 Fri Dvadasi Break fast 6.39 am – 9.50 am

http://bhaktaprogram.com 8 Mon Sri Gadadhara Pandita – Disappearance Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura – Disappearance Wednesdays 10.30 am 9 Tue Gundica Marjana Byron Bay Hari Nama at the 10 Wed Ratha-yatra park opposite the Post Office. Sri Svarupa Damodara Gosvami – Disappearance For further details and transport Sri Sivananda Sena – Disappearance information, contact 14 Sun Hera Pancami (4 days after Ratha-yatra) Parama Karuna dasa Sri Vakresvara Pandita – Disappearance 0439 280 362 18 Thu Return Ratha (8 days after Ratha-yatra) Friday Evenings 6.30 pm 19 Fri Ekadasi (suitable for fasting) Fasting for Sayana Ekadasi Bhakti Centre Surfers Paradise 20 Sat Dvadasi Break fast 6.35 am – 10.07 am bhakticentregoldcoast.com.au 23 Tue Guru (Vyasa) Purnima Srila Sanatana Gosvami – Disappearance Sunday Mornings First month of Caturmasya begins Northern NSW & Gold Coast (green leafy vegetable fast for one month) folkrishna.com/program.htm 27 Sat Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami – Disappearance Isvara dasa 0411 825 549 30 Tue Srila Lokanatha Gosvami – Disappearance 31 Wed The incorporation of ISKCON in New York 8 Krishna Kids Korner

Find the words listed below and circle them with a pen or pencil. The words may appear horizontal, vertical or diagonal.

Lord Caitanya - Jagannatha - Balarama - Subhadra - Gundica Mandir - Ratha Yatra Puri - King Pataparudra - Gopis - Krishna - Vrindavana - Nila Madhava - King Indradyumna - - Sabara - Visvakarma - Sakshi Gopal - Tota Gopinath Gambhira - Alalanath